FORWARD FEATURES CALENDAR

Managers

Instabox, a next-gen technology company transforming last-mile deliveries for e-commerce, has closed a USD90 million Series B round led by EQT Ventures. Instabox makes parcel delivery faster, more sustainable, and efficient, looking to revolutionise the industry with solutions such as fossil fuel-free locker deliveries and the newly launched completely emission-free bike delivery service Instabikes. The funding will be used to further invest in technology that will enhance the value-chain for customers and merchants, plus expansion outside of Sweden.   The global parcels market was worth almost USD430 billionn in 2019, a significant increase from USD380 billion the year previously, showing
The Equine Network, a tech-enabled membership services platform to the USD130 billion US equine industry, has acquired Spalding Laboratories (Spalding), a provider of all-natural insect control services to more than 60,000 horse and animal owners on a recurring annual basis across the US. 
BC Partners, a leading international investment firm, alongside the Vacchi family, has completed the take private of IMA Group, a specialist in the production of automatic packaging machines.  The business has been fully delisted from the Milan stock exchange and BC Partners and the Vacchi family now control 100 per cent of IMA. Founded in 1961 in Bologna, Italy, IMA Group is an established global leader in its market, employing approximately 6,200 people in 45 production plants across the world. It specialises in the design and manufacturing of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foods and beverages,
Jorge Hendrickson, Opus Fund Services
The “private debt” bucket within the fund industry has seen tremendous growth, opportunity, and evolution over the last few years, with no signs of slowing down. The definition and composition of the private debt space has expanded in both breadth and depth, which has led to exciting operational considerations.  Private debt is used as a broad term for all non-listed debt and credit portfolios. “It is a resilient asset class due to its diverse make-up and ability to remain relevant and attractive to investors during all market cycles,” says Jorge Hendrickson, Chief Revenue Officer at Opus Fund Services. For context,
Aani Nerlekar, SS&C Advent
The complexity of how private debt funds are structured and managed is increasing. Cost and expenses related to private debt funds are also becoming more intricate. Newly launches, in particular, need to identify where to keep their expenses low and use their budget in ways to help maximise their output. “As managers move into new asset classes, they need an accounting system to handle them. In cases where the client is still building their fund, they may need to hire additional staff to manage multiple accounting solutions, which comes at a cost,” highlights Aani Nerlekar (pictured), Director, Solutions Consulting at
Scott Turley, Broadridge Financial Solutions
By Scott Turley (pictured), Broadridge Financial Solutions – Private debt is expected to be one of the few asset-class winners of the Covid-19 crisis. As institutional investors struggle to obtain decent returns due to low interest rates and irrationally priced equity markets, many are turning to private debt managers to improve performance. 
By A Paris – Competition has been ramping up in the private debt arena as more managers chase fewer transactions globally. This is paving the way for consolidation in the space as some of the more aggressive players may stumble, having taken on too much risk, and the larger lenders look for solid acquisition targets among the more cautious groups. Private debt is expected to be one of the fastest growing asset classes over the next five years. According to The Future of Alternatives 2025, a report by Preqin, assets under management (AuM) in private debt will increase at a compound annual
YFM Equity Partners’ has sold its shareholding in rail project business Collaborative Project Management Services Limited (CPMS) to French construction engineering company Egis, generating a return of 2x for its investors.
European private debt manager Pemberton, which is backed by Legal & General Group, has supported the recapitalisation of Bridgepoint Development Capital’s portfolio company MVF, a UK online customer acquisition company.  Together with HSBC, Pemberton has provided a cost-effective and flexible financing solution to help the company accelerate its growth through strategic acquisitions.   Founded in 2009, MVF has grown into one of the UK’s fastest growing technology companies, and a market leader in online customer acquisition and lead generation. Using proprietary technology, data-driven analytics and in-house digital marketing expertise, the company provides cutting-edge services to a global client base of
Panoramic Ventures has launched following a partnership between entrepreneur and investor Paul Judge and venture capital firm BIP Capital, which has more than USD550 million in assets under management.  Judge and BIP Capital Co-founder Mark Buffington are managing partners of Panoramic Ventures, which has also launched a new fund with a target of USD300 million. Panoramic’s core mission is to fund companies in the Southeast, Midwest, and other regions across the USA where high-potential firms are often overlooked. “Our intent at Panoramic is to take a wider-view approach to investing in order to give more entrepreneurs access to both capital

Events

12 November, 2026 – 8:00 am

Directory Listings